Purpose: :
Previous studies have shown that activation of gp130-STAT3 signalingis essential for induced endogenous protection of photoreceptorsfrom light damage and inherited retinal degeneration. The purposeof this study was to determine the underlying mechanism by whichSTAT3 regulates protection.

Methods: :
VPP transgenic mice and retina specific STAT3 knockout micewere used to investigate the role of STAT3 in retinal degeneration.Expression of gp130 ligands and STAT3 activating ligands wasmeasured by real-time PCR during the course of degenerationin the retina. Agonists and antagonist to gp130 were injectedintravitreally to determine whether activation or inhibitingsignaling through gp130 would delay or accelerate degenerationrespectively. Retinal function was measured using electroretinograms(ERG) and activation of signal transduction was measured byWestern blots and immunohistochemistry. ChIP-on-chip assay wasuse to determine genes that are potentially regulated by STAT3.